Marking a year of measurable progress and strengthened ambition, MSC Group’s Cruise Division published its 2024 Sustainability Report, reaffirming its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

The report was accompanied by an independently verified Energy Transition Plan (ETP) to demonstrate how the cruise giant is working to achieve this ambition.

MSC Group subsidiaries include MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said in a statement, “As a family business, we do not operate ships just for tomorrow. We sail them for future generations, designed for fuel flexibility, guided by innovation, and powered by people who share our long-term vision.”

“The Cruise Division in 2024 reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a bold and transparent sustainability strategy that balances environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience,” he added.

Sustainability report highlights include:

• Launching of the Energy Transition Plan for fleets of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, outlining interim absolute emissions reduction targets – a published roadmap to achieving net-zero GHG emissions from marine operations by 2050.
• Avoiding 50,000 tons of CO₂ emissions through fleet-wide optimization tools (OptiCruise and Oceanly Performance), which support real-time operational efficiency and itinerary planning.
• Increased shore power connections from 44 in 2023 to 142 in 2024, across 13 ports. All ships launched since 2017 are shore-power ready with retrofitting continuing across the fleet, and the Cruise Division remains committed to using shore power wherever available.
• An increase in crew retention rate to 89 percent, up from 83 percent in 2023, demonstrates the commitment of the Cruise Division to employee engagement and development.
• The formation of a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, underlining a strong commitment to workforce equity across over 140 nationalities.
• Continued investment in destinations like Ocean Cay, where environmental stewardship has enabled marine wildlife to thrive and coral restoration is underway.
• Whale strike prevention training for 469 key crew members in conjunction with marine protection charity ORCA to understand more about the species of whales at risk, how to identify them, and taking steps to reduce further risk.
• More than 4,500 shore excursions offered in 84 countries, including 284 “Protectours,” low-impact experiences.

The report also shows that in 2024 the fleets of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys together carried 4.6 million guests and sailed to 341 itineraries in 90 countries.

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